New York Daily News

Jets release DL Muhammad Wilkerson, who was tardy and underachieved after his big payday

Manisih Mehta ·Feb 28, 2018 1:46 PM

INDIANAPOLIS— The Jets predictably cut Muhammad Wilkerson on Wednesday after his two-year heist that pocketed him a cool $37 million. The habitually tardy and underachieving defensive lineman was de-activated for the final three games last season after repeatedly breaking team rules. He morphed from Pro Bowl player to Pro Bowl excuse-maker before the Jets finally had enough and put him in timeout toward the end of the season before they could file divorce papers.

Gang Green will clear $11 million in salary cap space by parting ways with Wilkerson two years into his blockbuster five-year, $86 million deal signed during the summer of 2016.

“It wasn’t disciplinary at all,” Todd Bowles said of releasing Wilkerson. “It’s a business decision that we made.”

Wilkerson was invisible after getting his big pay day. He recorded only eight sacks in 28 games and was disciplined multiple times for repeatedly being late to meetings and missing a practice since getting the monster deal that he had coveted for so long.

“I’m disappointed for the team,” Bowles said. “I’m disappointed for him. Obviously, it didn’t work out. But I have a lot of love for Mo. I think he’s still got a lot of football ahead of him. I think he’s got some good football ahead of him. I just wish him the best. I feel no different about him than I do the rest of my guys.”

The Jets announced Wednesday that they’ve released Muhammad Wilkerson.Image by: Bill Kostroun/AP

Wilkerson made fools out of everyone in the organization that believed in him. Although some folks were cautiously optimistic before the 2017 season that the former Pro Bowler would get his act together, it never happened.

“When something doesn’t work out, you wish it would’ve, but it didn’t,” general manager Mike Maccagnan said. “With those contracts of that size, there are expectations of performance. We wish things would’ve worked out differently.”

Wilkerson, anchored by harmful influences in the area, would be best served finding a new team far away from his native New Jersey. The mercurial 28-year-old defensive lineman needs to rid of himself of excess baggage if he has any chance of reviving his career.